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~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Week -end Wrap -up &some News


Sunday buzz…

The President has some new projects underway to deal with things confronting Veterans, Creating a Green zone, facing and improving Government, Innovation, and Economy. Unlike our counterparts the Democratic Party took up the challenge that was left to them and have made headway in spite of the big Wall Street Republicans side with…We the People will get it and vote them out of office. The Democratic Party has yet to completely step up to the challenge …when will they get it the 53% that voted for change is not the group of 1993-4 … The changes needed are becoming a reality …Democrats need to avoid shooting ourselves and accept the change will be slow but steady…we need the upcoming elections and  2012 to continue the changes and improvements necessary

BP is replacing another cap and the oil is gushing into the Gulf. In addition, while that is going on reports about the blobs, globs and oil coming on shore is not from the BP disaster. This has got to make you wonder just what is going on because if it isn’t from BP where and why and then it just gets deep …what have they been doing until now to combat the mess -Questions Governors of the Gulf Coast need to answer -where were the emergency plans because any state wanting oil drilling should have had one in place.

The noise from Lebron James decision really made some folks come unglued it was strange to hear such vitriol and was definitely filled with unsportsmanlike like conduct by reporters who forgot the man was a Free  Agent LJ, King James if you’re nasty. In addition, coaches, reporters, or so-called fans definitely still name calling, questioning his integrity. The donation LJ made to the Boys and Girls Club was all but put on the back burner by most reporters. It was the embarrassing part for me because that was a great act that got pushed aside for the negativity of it all…that ain’t right and gotta ask yourself was it racial, jealousy, haters or pr …it definitely is a whole lot of miss-behaving nasty words that need to be squashed.

Congress will be back in Session on Monday with plenty to do plenty of complaints at a time when reports suggest another recession or worse is at hand or as talking heads refer to it as a double dip. It can be avoided if folks in Congress would just work for the best interest of the people instead of what will keep them employed on the Hill because as most know Republicans voted against the unemployed …my thought is people should use their votes to voice how those NO votes made them feel and vote out Republicans. If you have not already heard, Republicans have invited lobbyists to the Hill next week. The week will start out slow but unless you live under a rock, the intent is clear; do Republicans think voters will continue to put up with them siding with Wall Street and not Main Street or the Street. The public will finally notice and call Republicans out. The Senate will convene around 2pmEt on Monday and there will be debates/votes and confirmation of a judge. The House meets on Tuesday and while the Senate battles it out on legislation given them both chambers will have climate change & clean energy, immigration dadt to deal with in a period of 4 months before the November elections; can they do it. Congress will have to make a good faith effort to get these things done and any budget issues might merit the use of reconciliation.

C-SPAN …

watch NGA meeting

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

watch Panel Discussion visit Alliance for Health Reform

Governors Focus on The Federal Budget Deficit

With the National Governors Association (NGA) wrapping up its three-day meeting in Boston today, PoliticsDaily.com Senior Correspondent Jill Lawrence joins the Washington Journal live from Boston to review the conference and discuss the 2010 elections. Today’s closing NGA plenary session focuses on “The Federal Budget Deficit: Risks and Challenges.” The panel will hear from former Senator Alan K. Simpson (R-WY) and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff and Senate candidate Erskine B. Bowles (D-NC), co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, who will provide their insight into the monetary challenges facing the nation.

Top Political Leaders Appeal to Party Line Voters

This morning on the Washington Journal, strategist Leslie Sanchez will discuss the 2010 political landscape, the new Arizona immigration law and its impact on Republican Party, as well as new polls showing GOP messages leading Democrats on several policy fronts. In Nevada, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele spoke Friday at a state Republican Party Convention dinner. Earlier in the week, some Democrats and Republicans had called for him to resign after he referred to the war in Afghanistan as “a war of Obama’s choosing.”   Nevada GOP Senate nominee Sharron Angle also spoke at the dinner. The “Tea Party”-backed candidate is challenging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in the November elections. President Obama was in the state Thursday to campaign for Senator Reid, who is seeking a fifth term.

Saturday …Is it just me or did everything after the Lebron James announcement get out of hand?  Some teams, owners, so-called fans, coaches were upset and while they engaged in bad behavior did everyone forget -he was a FREE AGENT  -move on

We all need to make the effort to be a part of a group reminding folks of the dangers Americans face if we go back to the status quo.

The truth is Republicans long to go back to the status quo,  have been and still are the negative element to this financial melt down and have vowed to bring down President Obama. The problem is not only will they bring this President down they will take us all down with them and that cannot be what folks truly want. This President had a great campaign showed his knowledge, poise and when things became rough he acted Presidential unlike the Republican ticket, which was not only unqualified but out of touch with issues effecting all Americans of all financial and or racial background. The Republican ticket stated that our economy was fundamentally sound -huh? as we all know that was far from the truth

If you listen to the cable heads, mainstream TV, radio noise, and others seemingly on the side of Republicans, you would think they feel the public is not smart enough to see, hear, and feel the election rhetoric begin. It is on the public to see the forest through the trees as they did with the 2008 elections and hear what the Pundits say but make choices based on facts not the rhetoric from those that get paid to possibly sway the public to one side or the other when they step into the voting booth. The choice to stick with the way things are now or the option to move forward into the 21st Century seems obvious.

However, if you are a woman and or person of colour the status quo has changed over time and what seems to be catching rapid fire is the desire to back in time when women or people of colour were seen maybe and rarely heard. I need people to hear that America was built by immigrants that those very people who want to vote against comprehensive immigration have ancestors who probably had some involvement knew someone maybe helped someone who was undocumented. I don’t believe that undocumented people want anything less then most people  – a job a place to live have children and be safe . Immigration is the elephant in the room and though it has been around for decades, everyone knows it is time to make the changes and why. Immigration affects our economy our families and will continue to be the huge elephant in both chambers of Congress until Politicians get it and deal with it.

Friday comments ...In the days, weeks, and months to come, the news will focus on the upcoming November elections, we all should be watching listening and sorting out just what are these candidates and their supporters or financial backers saying. This nation is at a moment when we need to make intelligent choices ones that will make the difference to not only our economy but to the nation. It may seem silly if you are sitting back with no real issues in your life like the people on the Gulf Coast because the reality of our circumstance is all in that one place. It was going fine people living their lives when a big financial company decided to bet against the people and the environment by not investing in certain safety features thus cutting costs… sound familiar. That being said an explosion happened eleven people died with over 100 people swimming or were rescued thank goodness but the fact is not much news came out about the explosion until a couple of plumes and maybe a brave survivor started making comments. The story is long the effects will be longer and the truth, well we do  not have the truth yet but the leak –ish it is a gusher that still continues on and has brought the Gulf Coast people to their knees not just financially, emotionally, physically but it reflects what our nation is going through. The people on the Gulf Coast needed help as businesses closed,  people losing their jobs and the air has, on some occasions been so bad they have had what is called, “bad air days.” BP and the government I guess have limited the beach and oilrig views but we hear the daily comments from reporters from the fishing industry and the people who need to speak up and out more frequently. I blame BP but the other group responsible for not getting things done quicker is the local government. The Gulf Coast governors like Gov Jindal are out there doing photo ops but are falling short on getting things like respirators to the workers. This should be a concern of local government and if not then someone has to start a phone tree to call the White House because we all know that the air can harbor deadly things even if you cannot see it you smell it and that can only be ignored for so long.

In addition, like the BP disaster the facts that almost brought our nation to its knees cannot be ignored. The house of Bush gave taxes breaks to the wealthy in 2001 sold as a stimulus and again in 2003 then he made an investment in 2Wars, which resulted in massive debt and a quick trip to a recession just short of a depression…, which is still possible by the way because Republicans refuse to help … is anyone paying attention! Bush did not pay for these things among other things and this led us into our current situation!

The Democratic Party is trying to move Americans into the 21st Century, we cannot afford to go backward, and who would want to because Republicans do not have our best interest in their minds and what better evidence is there then the NO votes that could have gotten us out of this crisis sooner.

It is with great happiness to say thank goodness it’s Friday! TGIF has long been a cliché we all indulge in every week and some laugh at though very accurate as our workweek ends on this day. The thing is the week does not end for the President, he has been at work getting our economy back on track for less than two years, and though pundits and cable heads would have you believe that it is not happening, they are wrong. The recovery has had many obstacles placed in the way of this President, some include members of the Democratic Party, which is very odd yet should give the public a better view of how hard this whole thing was going to be. If anyone remembers at all, our then young Obama and candidate for President stated many times that he cannot get the change we believe in or need alone. It still is true that the change we need is one that everyone has to take part in which means that independents should be calling legislators to act in the best interest of the people, stop stalling, holding back and up appointments the President has a right to have to govern.

Speaking of governing, in a year of major elections that will change how our Congress looks many Economists state few in Congress have the courage to commit to change and act boldly to get America straightened out. If you listen to those pushing the negative poll numbers at us, should we all give up just because they say so, this is not the time for democratic supporters, voters the 53% that put this President in office to now turn their backs. The fact is we have 2 political parties and one nation under god but Republicans have forgotten that and have instead set out on a mission to not only bring down this President but in doing so will take the rest of us down with them.

We have Republicans who continue to be obstructionists along with a couple of members of the Democratic Party. It is up to people supporting the effort to rectify the nonsense that the last guy left by speaking up and out if given the opportunity. President Obama was given the worst economy since the depression has pulled the US back from the ditch that we all faced; actually, a huge percentage of people did fall into that ditch and are now collateral damage the house of Bush failed to stop while he was still in office. In fact, most of the people I talk to cannot even remember where he was after the announcement of just how bad a crisis we were in before this President took over. The President had an agenda during the 2008 campaign that did not include a complete financial crisis. The Mccain/Palin ticket said oh our economy is fundamentally sound and that was the first sign as to whom we all needed to vote into office. The facts slowly came out and we probably have not heard all the truth which means things obviously were worse than they knew people on the right keep trying to hold this President to the original numbers; the fact is everything is relative and the numbers have to adjusted folks. The President can give Congress an agenda but it is up to them to move us into the 21st Century, which means creating and voting on legislation that will put those laws on the books but treated as failures.

There have been major changes not failures made by this President and reports of him being weak are just a joke that he needs to fight the verbal beat downs that people on the right are engaging in… please who has time for that and this President should pick the right time to take up the verbal fight. I prefer that he make progress into the 21st Century anyway we can and when the move stalls we must challenge him or those who continue to stall block and vote against it. In my opinion, the progress our President or the Democratic Congress has made seldom gets significant PR. The fact that they do not is annoying, disappointing. The fact that the someone in the administration admitted that the President’s own advisors pleaded with him to give up on Health Care Reform evidence on how hard a time this new administration is having. We all should be thankful this President did not listen then and quite possibly start to move left of center asap… the cliché -we got his back use to be par for the course  but now my question is where are the independents and will they help or hinder our move into the 21st Century?

Other News …

**New rules for Vets with PTSD will be announced Monday making it easier to file claims

**A lawsuit against the AZ sheriff has been filed claiming an illegal or abusive use of power

**FaceBook has announced it will shut down the Gifts giving aspect of its site

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

thorny Thursday &some News …


If not now -when

The President will be stumping for the Democratic Party in Nevada and Kansas City the VP will be in California and it will all be on cable around 1:30pmET, I am so proud but I will say that he needs to tighten up his crew before Congress comes back.

Are you registered to vote -know any first time voters? anyone who is not registered to vote?-it is time to get involved …let your voice be heard! register to VOTE for Climate change alternative energy, Immigration, Jobs Bill, Reform of all things Financial

It is time for the Democratic Party and our President to find courage to sway more left of center because if they have not already gotten it -that, is who voted in the 2008election -that- is the 53%

We are all counting down the days to when the Senate comes back, We the People need to take the advice of Alan Grayson who by the way was an awesome guest on CNN. The Congressman not only held his own but was able to challenge the cable host … his advice is not just call members of Congress he suggested a March on Congress when they get back to tell Congress to get the Jobs Bill done for the people of American … hey, why not use Reconciliation.

Today, among other things will be a day of heat heat heat red meat heat =sunburns. It has been more cool of late which quickly moved into a couple of days of mild warmth a few days of rain and mild warm weather and though the warnings were there it seemed to be announced then it happened just like the weather people stated. That is not to say meteorologists do not know what they talk about because that is the job at hand, it is just here in the 206 we usually have opposite weather that includes a lot of rain on most days. It is hot hot hot. It’s Summer!!

And more hot News that has occupied the minds of sports fans for quite sometime now is about LeBron James. The famous Lebron is scheduled to announce what team he will join on ESPN Thursday night and while the talk has been heated; folks who viewers had no idea were interested have given so-called opinions about where he should go. Then we see people in the news making comments and or complaints. I don’t know who started it but the word Diva suddenly got play and people ran with it …apparently some jealous folks but then they said we are all at fault for letting him get this way …huh? It just seems like a good PR job to me what with two or three States getting some coverage on TV. The main event will be tonight about 9pm but that might be ET so if you really are interested better check the programming because you will def miss it here in the PST if you actually wait until 9pm … I suspect his 1-hour program on ESPN, which got many complaints will probably be replayed over and over.

In other issues gaining more heat as the days wear on is the BP disaster which has yet to be taken to the next level and though we all know what is going on the cameras are no longer getting that close up. We are no longer are-watching reporters picking up tar balls and visits to the beach are becoming less but we all know they and the gusher is still there. It has been stated that there are 27,000 wells possibly leaking, it was confirmed and is now being reported as if it was the current President fault , implying that not only was it his fault but then it slides into a tirade of why ken Salazar should be fired. I am tired of the ability that reporters, hosts, cable heads use to spew info that may be true or not it is even more annoying that folks from the right, specifically politicians think they will say whatever they want without being challenged… but this is happening too. I am beyond offended that the various stations have let Republicans and or some Democrats get on and say this spill is Obama’s Waterloo we have him now because he is the President; forget the nonsense that limbaugh and or beck are spewing because that stuff is too obvious. It’s the crap that the 3 major cable stations allow and or hope will get folks worked up but it just makes me turn the channel…thank goodness for channel surfing because the nonsense between now and November will be endless.

Last, We the People know that Freedom of Speech is not only a right but also a responsibility. It just seems like the art of Free Speech has become twisted definitely misused and abused daily

I would like to say thank you to Media Matters for America and Think Progress because while there are other sources these two are priceless.

Other News …

**There is a Russia -US spy swap as we speak

**The Congressional Budget Office has found that the Senate’s climate change legislation would reduce the deficit by $19 billion over the next decade if enacted. “There is no more room for excuses; this must be our year to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation and begin to send a price signal on carbon,” said the legislation’s authors, Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

**Former White House green jobs adviser Van Jones spoke at the Campus Progress National Conference yesterday and encouraged students to be patient with Obama. “We’re trying to build a pro-democracy movement in a country that at least for eight years was run by straight-up authoritarians, and it’s not going to be easy,” he said. Jones added that despite his “rough exit,” the whole experience was “worth it.”



C-SPAN …

watch White House Press Briefing

watch Pres. Obama on Exports

President Stumps for Recovery Act in Missouri & Nevada

President Obama continues to visit communities around the country this week as part of an effort to focus attention on Recovery Act projects underway across the nation. Today, the President travels to Kansas City, MO, to tour a Smith Electric Vehicles facility where he will deliver remarks to workers on the economy. He will later headline a campaign fundraiser on behalf of Democratic Senate nominee Robin Carnahan. The President continues to Las Vegas tomorrow where he will headline a campaign rally for Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) at the Aria Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Pres. Obama in MO: 1:30pm ET on C-SPAN2

Greece Looks to reinvigorate economy through “green technologies”

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis will today appear at the Woodrow Wilson Center to discuss Greece’s efforts to shift away from fossil fuels while still facing an economy-crippling financial crisis. He is expected to highlight his nation’s goal of raising renewable energy usage ten-fold to meet European Union renewable targets for 2020. Greece has attempted to reinvigorate climate change talks by suggesting a regionally focused approach that would allow other countries outside of the European Union to formulate climate measures that fit their national needs. It has already begun negotiating with other Mediterranean nations and has pointed to the possibility of climate-induced droughts in African and Asian as motivation for other countries to utilize the same approach. In December 2009, the U.N. Climate Change Conference attempted to produce a legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gases, but the “Copenhagen Accord” is not legally enforceable. Countries from around the world are set to meet later this year for U.N.-sponsored climate talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Brookings Panel to “Reimagine” U.S. Immigration Policy

In the wake of Tuesday’s U.S. Justice Department announcement that it challenging Arizona’s new immigration law in federal court, the Brookings Institution today hosts a forum on “Reimagining U.S. Immigration Policy.” Brookings Vice President and Director of Governance Studies Darrell West will discuss his new book, “Brain Gain: Rethinking U.S. Immigration Policy.” The event will also include a panel debate on immigration reform and specific proposals to improve federal immigration strategy. The Justice Department lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, argues that immigration policy must be consistent nationally and that the Arizona law oversteps state authority. The law, S.B. 1070, requires state and local law enforcement to stop and question suspected illegal immigrants. It passed the state legislature in April and is set to take effect July 29 unless a judge grants the federal government’s request for an injunction to block its implementation.
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

whiney Wednesday &some News


Breaking News … LeBron James will announce his pick Thursday on ESPN  and …As the temperatures rise all over the country so are the issues just waiting for members of Congress when they get back from the break. Issues like immigration moved quickly to the front burner thanks to the Arizona Gov who boldly put a law like SB1070 on the table that could give the Arizona police the right to perform racial profiling legally. The state of AZ did not take into account the obvious behavior back during the days of separate and definitely unequal. Dr Paul has since made other comments that are clear examples for why we have the 14th amendment though few politicians have come out to agree with what Rand Paul it is obvious his comments are a revelation for those of us interested in voting this November. Immigration will be done in calm and comprehensive way because we have a President who may be at odds with the Polls stating over 65% agree with the AZ law. I believe he is just one of many who are the voice of reason with constitutional knowledge and not some Governor put in office by way of default because the real Governor of AZ getting a job with the President of the United States. It may take time but SB1070 will likely to be proven unconstitutional and overturned before the end of the month for the sake of us all.

Today, we heard the President will make a controversial recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick who will handle Medicare/Medicaid services,it’s a good move considering Republicans have blocked giving this admin the chance to govern with a complete cabinet.

In other rants of mine,  the gossip platform has gone beyond ugly and begs us to ask the question of how far is too far and is it time to demand respect of or give privacy to the people these shows target. Here we are in the 24/7 news cycle so we get more news then we all know what to do with and while it comes in fast and furious people need to pick choose the things that make sense or  has elements that pertain to our lives. I watch cable I listen to radio read a few papers though most are online now with much of their paper content. The problem is the obsession to what use to be gossip section now has become the section of not only are we going to gossip about these people but judge them talk about their looks and laugh; it’s strange because the folks making the comments feel somehow better than the entertainers, athletes and or politicians?

I love gossip until it becomes overly judgmental  -like the lets beat up the stars and then  throw them under the bus because we don’t like what they are doing then lets ask the viewers to vote on it… which, really means what are our ratings at the moment. I do not happen to like these shows because they are overly judgmental. The lets bash the stars entertainers looking into the cameras and saying oh we care about these people we rip apart while airing their dirty laundry are people who get paid to do something they probably would not want happening in their own lives. It obvious the question is not about whether they are qualified or not, it is whether they should be out there talking in the first place. In my opinion these so-called investigative reporters, gossip experts, papers, bloggers, or shows and others that went after MJ relentlessly for example should be ashamed of the what also creates collateral damage in so many of the  lives of folks who are having trouble.

We can all agree to disagree about what part the Media played in running MJ out of the US and given the freedom of speech thing getting these shows to stop beating up on public figures seems like an impossible mission. I admit to liking gossip but the last few years these gossip tabloids in all forms have crossed the line and are creating terrible platforms of who can not only come out with the most outrageous but will the viewing audience find it offensive or just want more. I just learned how to channel surf because of the verbal abuse these gossip shows are now engaging in. The gossip moved from entertainment to shows of verbal abuse with continued negative rants of public figures. The comments by gossip shows have gone from a negative jab  to hurtful verbal beat downs by asshats who get paid to tear down entertainers like Beeber, who is under age by the way, MJ, Lindsay lohan and others who refuse to give them the info to find out they are not only fodder for the next week but the next month and have become one of a few chosen to be tracked for the rest of their lives?

In my opinion It’s time to dump and or boycott shows that verbally bash public figures because they can shows and give ex-gossip expert Nancy O’Dell a big round of applause for not wanting to buy into and engage in selling the public on the sensationalism of other peoples troubled or troubling lives.

Other News …

Hawaii governor Linda Lingle (R) vetoed a bill legalizing civil unions between same-sex couples, saying that she prefers the issue be voted on as a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot. “It seems like she is taking us back 100 years if we are going to decide civil-rights issues by majority rule,” said state senator Les Ihara Jr. (D).TP

**Reports that the PM from Israel lost baggage while waiting for their flight from LAX ,though the bag was found 4 guns are missing…wow sounds like a good time to shut down AA and do a complete search -of everything

**A union working for Macy employees in Tacoma is still calling for consumers to boycott them due to unfair hiring practices

**Toyota vehicles are still having engine problems, recalling 270thou

**Manson follower is denied parole after the 19th time

C-SPAN …

watch Adm. Thad Allen Briefing visit More C-SPAN Oil Spill Coverage

watch Obama & Netanyahu: From Earlier

watch British House of Commons PMQ

Justice Dept. Files Suit over Arizona immigration law

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging the constitutionality of Arizona’s new immigration law. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Perez and Center for Immigration Studies Research Director Steven Camarota discussed the case on today’s Washington Journal. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, argues that immigration policy must be consistent nationally and that the Arizona law oversteps state authority. The law, S.B. 1070, requires state and local law enforcement to stop and question suspected illegal immigrants. It passed the state legislature in April and is set to take effect July 29. In recent weeks, President Obama has criticized the measure, calling it “misguided.” The Justice Department released a statement yesterday saying the Arizona law “will place significant burdens on federal agencies, diverting their resources away from high-priority targets, such as aliens implicated in terrorism, drug smuggling, and gang activity, and those with criminal records.”    “It is wrong that our own federal government is suing the people of Arizona for helping to enforce federal immigration law,” said Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in a statement responding to the lawsuit.



W.H. Advisers Address Youth Activist Conference

Former Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta and Obama White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina will provide insights into the Executive Branch when they address youth activists and students leaders at the sixth annual Campus Progress National Conference today.

Other speakers include Van Jones, environmentalist and former advisor to President Obama; White House national security aide and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Samantha Power; and Democratic strategist and CNN commentator Paul Begala.  A project of the Center for American Progress, which Mr. Podesta now leads, Campus Progress works to engage young people in key political and social issues facing the nation. More than 1,200 youths from across the country will attend the two-day conference.

watch Messina & Jones Speeches: C-SPAN at 1pm ET
visit Conference Agenda

Court Term Marked By Political Spending, Gun Rights Cases

During its 2009-2010 term, which concluded last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard significant cases on campaign finance, gun-control and juvenile sentencing issues. Los Angeles Times Supreme Court reporter David Savage joined the Washington Journal this morning to discuss the impact of the Court’s rulings and how some of these decisions put the Court at odds with the Obama Administration.

The Heritage Foundation continues an examination of the 2009-2010 Supreme Court term with its annual review of the recent term’s notable cases.

As the Senate gets ready to vote on the nomination of Elena Kagan to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, panelists analyze how the dynamic of the Court may change with her addition, and how Justice Sonia Sotomayor impacted the Court in her first year.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Thoughtful -Tuesday


What have Republicans done for you lately? or for the last 8 to 10 years?

There will be a March for Jobs in DC on October 2nd 2010

Congress is still on break while millions and millions of people either pick up their last UI check, move out of their current living space, have several garage sales or are standing in line for federal programs they probably have never had to stand in before. The people of the United States will be overwhelmed until Republicans realize we are all Americans and government is We the People not we on the Right who believe in Corporations -Wall Street not Main Street and until Main Street is straightened out our economy will continue on a downward spiral -which is exactly what Republicans want.  The question is has anyone on the right thought about what the consequences are if they let all things financial fail again? If people are upset about the deficits, and are successful in voting in Republicans to take over – would they print even more money than Hank Paulsen did and if so what would be their next move? Would we ask the Private Sector help out and what should we expect them to do? get rid of Social Security and any other programs Republicans feel are entitlements.  It is just a thought but if we let Republicans bring down the Obama administration the real loser will be the middle class; people need to open their eyes at how ludicrous it will be if Republicans continue their obstructionist behavior – and if they are successful whatever happens will do damage to everyone folks

In better news …Summer  is about to move to the 206 as temps are reported to be around 70 today and should reach 90 by Friday. We all love summer until the temperatures become unbearable which makes it harder to work live and or be healthy.

Of all the things we should know, remind and speak up or out about are what things, the last administration did that played an important part in our economic collapse. If people will accept that government is there for a reason and in doing so more people should be voting for Democrats to get the job done. The obvious conclusion folks should come to is that government is us and to say no to it like Republicans keep doing when we need it the most is just a successful attack on how government was suppose to work which is now being stalled, blocked and torn apart.

Today’s Tip: 99 Cents Isn’t Always Cheap -from livecheap.com
We love it when the stores get creative and lure you in with low priced offerings.  For example, bleach is just Sodium Hypochlorite and the stronger stuff is 6.0% concentration.  What do you get at the 99 cent store?  They don’t usually say, most likely 3%… not a bargain.  Same thing for bread, nothing like paying 99 cents when they are selling you 16 ounces instead of 24.  Another one that we’ve seen lately is things that are normally sold in 1lb packages being sold in 12 ounce packages.  They seem cheaper until you do the math.  Stores love tricking unwary consumers into thinking they got a deal.

Read the label and don’t be a sucker.

When Clinton was voted out of office he left a substantial amount of money in surplus – no President is perfect but some should be challenged what looms now is sizable tax hikes, loss of retirement benefits, double digit inflation, global financial collapse and any domino effect   could wipe out the middle class so, did you know that …

1)Bush doubled the US national debt to $10trillion in just 8 years

2)Bush took 600 out of Social Security and sent a check out to everyone,  definitely one of several reasons it is now going broke and needs to be fixed asap

3)While conflicts and rumblings of fighting in Iraq&Afghan Bush formally announced and committed our young men/women for 2wars that were not paid for

4)Tax credits and breaks given to 2% of our Wealthy

Other News …

**The President meets with the PM of Israel today and will be on cspan today

**In an effort to make sure our youth know their rights 1 for All -a new website will be launched on Thursday

**The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, sued Countrywide for unfair and deceptive practices in servicing the mortgages of homeowners in default or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The settlement requires Countrywide to pay $108 million in refunds. go to http://www.ftc.gov/countrywide

For Release: July 2, 2010

**The FTC will send refunds to eligible homeowners in the coming months. You’ll be notified by mail if you’re eligible. You don’t need to do anything now.

**The economic stress may be slow but it is easing in only 18months…after 8yrs plus of financial bad choices

**Toyota continues to have problems with their automobiles

**Reports are that Elena Kagan will prob be voted and begin her Supreme Court Justice assignment by the end of July

**UFCW local 367 is asking consumers to boycott Tacoma Macy’s until they correct the unfair hiring

**Manson follower is on their 19th try at parole

**The GOP are still on the Repeal HCR bandwagon and continue to run on this at least in GA, OK places where HCR is needed most. read the article by By KATE PICKERT,    it is a must read article on Republicans practicing exclusion

**All fives Gulf Coast states report tar balls which begs to ask where and what were the local government responsibility and why didnt they do what they had to that would not ruin the wetlands, marshes and or beaches because certain action could like berm that could harm the wildlife

**

C-SPAN …

Tests of Massive Oil Skimmer Inconclusive

Over the weekend, the converted Taiwanese tanker “A Whale” attempted to skim the waters near the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but a company spokesman reported on Monday that results of the test run were “inconclusive” due to rough weather. BP and the Coast Guard have yet to determine if the massive ship, expected to take in 300,000 barrels of oil water every 10 hours, will become a permanent tool in the cleanup effort.
Ongoing storms and twelve-foot waves following the arrival of Hurricane Alex last week continue to delay recovery efforts. Meanwhile, Texas is feeling the effects of the oil spill. On Monday, the state announced that tar balls have washed onto two state beaches.

Queen to Address UN for First Time Since 1957

In a rare diplomatic appearance before the United Nations, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II addresses the General Assembly today in New York. She is expected to give a broad speech on world unity and peace.  The Queen appears before the 192-member General Assembly in her capacity as the head of state of the United Kingdom and 15 other UN member states, including Canada and Australia. She last addressed the body in 1957, at the age of 31. The UN itself was only twelve years old. She had acceded to the throne five years earlier, following the death of her father, King George VI. The Queen also plans to visit the World Trade Center site to honor the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Charles and his wife Camilla visited “Ground Zero” in 2005, and Prince Harry visited the site last year. The 2001 attacks claimed the lives of 67 British citizens.       Queen’s Speech: C-SPAN at 3pm ET

President Obama, Israeli Prime Minister to Meet in Washington

President Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Oval Office this morning. In this their fifth meeting, the President and Prime Minister are expected to discuss the Middle East peace process, as well as the Gaza Strip blockade and sanctions against Iran.
Following the meeting, an expanded working lunch will include additional U.S. officials and members of the broader Israeli delegation.
Today’s meeting was originally scheduled for last month, but Netanyahu cancelled it following an Israeli military raid on a flotilla of ships bound for Gaza.

Obama & Netanyahu: Available Later Today

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

TGIF …&some News …


It is my contention and belief that any and all negative numbers regarding jobs, a double dip recession, or legislation that is unaddressed, voted on or finished is on the backs of Republicans and remain that way from now on. Republicans have done nothing to help create jobs nor do they have solutions, which, would be easy … vote Yes to move America into the black and stop making the failure of this President your goal instead of doing the business of the People.

It is the end of the week with a lot of craziness going on everywhere in the world and it all seems to affect the up coming elections. If you listened to the reports today, Congress left Capitol Hill without finishing the business of Americans. I want to believe that a break will help some folks on the right hear from their constituents on the Gulf Coast because they are more needy then the rest of the country. The people on the Gulf Coast suffer from the BP disaster and now a rejection from their very own representatives who essentially voted against small business, the workers, the fishing industry, boaters, hotels, restaurants and all the employees associated with the industries listed above.

To be sure and fair; this is an election year so getting election campaigns started probably is more important than getting legislation passed, but the blame is with Republicans and we all need to remember that. The effort to get the peoples work done  has been harder in Senate then the House, specifically, unemployment, financial reform immigration, climate, and clean energy are all subject to the 60-vote rule and the right has block, stalled and tricked the Democrats in the Senate thus far. Republicans have decided to bet against the failure of our economy over the needs of people in their own States, which is such a strange thing. The last vote rejecting a Jobs bill that included unemployment benefits happened without the late Senator Bob Byrd, so as our government honors him today his replacement plus one more Republican could make the difference in giving folks a chance to continue paying at least some of their bills and look for work without stress.

Some of us on the left feel we know what side of every issue Republicans are on but we need to remind them and ourselves that what happened to our economy was and still is a non-partisan issue. It was a sad to know that people voted into political office continue to be on the side of Wall Street and not with Main Street; a great example being Republican Senator Sessions and others like Sharron Angle stating that Americans are spoiled, that Americans are too use to getting entitlements and be more self sufficient.   The problem is that for every one job there are 6 people applying for them so the question for Republicans is how can we recover without more jobs? Ms Angle, there are not enough jobs to go around.

I already know that as hard as cable-heads work to have  or want me to hear and or watch Polls that are negative for the Democratic Party it will be what they actually have done to make change happen however slow it may be because the financial crisis didn’t just happen overnight as the house of Bush wanted people to think, it was a car on the interstate driving without brakes and no one to steer it clear of anything in it’s path…that being derivatives, AIG, Goldman Sachs, Wall Street in general, home foreclosures because big Banks were closing their ranks.  The financial crash and the information about the crash did not get to the public until the last moment and that was right before we all had to vote for President in 2008. The choice was a no-brainer when you think of who was on the other ticket… completely unqualified and out of touch.

The biggest news today is what team will Lebron James choose and why it will affect the rest of our economy. It seems like every cable station has had on the various Mayors or Governors praying hoping and stumping for James to come to their state.  There is no doubt everyone wants a piece of King James and he has kept his choice very very quiet up until this point. It is obvious Lebron James has great PR people, with reports that he is not just interested in playing BB but wants to make a difference in the community as well is a plus for any basketball team looking to pay him what he wants. It is obvious whoever gets him will have a bona-fide BB King, a goodwill ambassador and serious community advocate/activist as well. You would have to be living under a rock if you did not at least hear how folks in Vegas betting on this free agent and hopefully it will be an organization that can use his talents and be willing to let him do his thing… get it done King James.

Other News …

**The President signed a bill creating even more sanctions for Iran

**California Gov.Schwarnegger has given orders for State worker salaries to be slashed to 7.25 per hr -to minimum wages

**Reports are that the employment rate is 9.5% and -the census jobs the Private Sector gained 83,thousand, which considering the thing no one is talking about …that number is not good but it is a plus not 800thousand lost jobs -the reality is Private Sector is holding back, under-employing and trading or investing not hiring

**


C-SPAN …

June Unemployment Falls to 9.5% Employers cut 125,000 jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported this morning that the unemployment rate for June moved down to 9.5% with 125,000 jobs lost during the month. This includes the expected reduction of 225,000 temporary census workers. Private sector jobs increased by 83,000.  In remarks this morning, Pres. Obama spoke about the employment numbers and noted that this was the 6th straight month of job growth in the private sector and that 600,000 private sector jobs have been added this year versus a loss of 3.7 million jobs last year.   BLS Commissioner Keith Hall testified earlier today on the latest numbers and recent developments in the labor market before the Joint Economic Committee. Commissioner Hall elaborated that BLS noticed job growth trends in manufacturing and a continued strong employment market in health care related services.

Hearing on Supreme Court Nominee Concludes

Outside witness testimony concluded Thursday following the U.S. Senate’s adjournment in recognition of Senator Robert Byrd on Capitol Hill. Thursday’s witness panels included those both in favor of and opposed to Kagan’s nomination.  Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan finished her last day of hearings on Wednesday. During the two days of questioning, Ms. Kagan was challenged over her treatment of military recruiters while dean of Harvard Law School, and asked to share her perspective on gun rights. When questioned on the subject of partial-birth abortion, Kagan described it as “an incredibly difficult issue.” The Committee hopes to approve her nomination and hold a floor vote in late July. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth woman in the Supreme Court’s history.